What's the worst thing about having a dog?

[Blankiefan]

I've never been a pet person but recently have been toying with the idea of a dog. DD is an only and is 7. She could do with a bit of companionship but it'd be my dog I think. I'd expect to do the looking after/ training/ walking. I'd only consider a smallish dog but ideally a rescue dog and not a puppy. I don't know if this is an idealistic view (Do rescue dogs always come with emotional baggage?)

My plan is to wait another year or so to consider it and also to see how life pans out. Currently both DH and I are at home all day and anticipate this continuing (each 2-3 days per week) but I'd like to see that play out.

I'm only at the start of thinking this through but thought you all might be able to give me some stuff to consider over the next year.

Holidays, days out, the constant tie.

Getting up at 1:30am so he can bark at the dark, and then again at 3:45am so he can poo in the dark. He has no respect for my sleep.
Really tho he's amazing an our DD(6) only child loves having him about for company. Like you we do the walks and just let her have the cuddles and fun.

Unless you have a nearby friend or relative who loves to dog sit they tie you to the house. You can’t go out for long days without them, or have spontaneous weekends away or go on holiday without finding someone to look after them. Okay I know in covid times those things don’t really happen anyway, but hopefully one day they will come back.

Hair....everywhere....even places she can't go, like inside the freezer. Still wouldn't be without her

Being forced out in all weathers, including in the pishing rain, when it’s dark and 2C outside.
Having to handle warm shite (quite literally steaming shite in the winter) multiple times a day for 10+ years.
Not being able to go out for longer than a couple of hours without having to pay someone else to take on your responsibility towards the dog.

A million great things! My dc is an only and it's been the best thing we've ever done getting a dog.

Worst thing is the planning- days out/ holidays. We don't live near family so it's been extra tricky but we've managed with dog walker/ dog boarder. They give more than they take and I was never a dog person before.

They can be a tie, but these days there are so many dog walking/ pet sitting services available. I adore our dog and I'm being perfectly serious when I say the worst thing is imagining our life without him .

The destruction. My dogs have wrecked many many things in the house. The puppy chewing phase meant doors, chairs, anything wooden or plastic that they could get their paws on got chomped. But even when they're out of that it's the muddy paw prints and the way they seem to rub against walls that you never seem to be able to fully fix.
Some part of your house is very likely to get destroyed if you get a dog. Especially a larger one.

When they die, they break your heart.

We’ve had our dog for 10 years and are just going through the hardest thing about having him... he’s seriously ill. The heartache is awful.

I can’t even go to the loo without mine whining at the door. Can never watch a tv programme without being interrupted. Can’t lie on the sofa without him climbing all over me.

But, I wouldn’t be without him. We went for a lovely long walk in the woods this morning and he was so tired when we got back he slept lying on me making gorgeous little content noises. He is excited to see me all of the time, even if I have managed a quick shower and left him for 20 minutes.

Holiday care, not being able to go for long days out and leave him, but the worst thing is knowing that one day he won’t be here anymore.

Can they come in the car on long day trips?

My gut feel is that our lifestyle is probably quite dog friendly - walks in the woods, trips to the beach, picnics in the park, visits to castles. COVID has had minimal impact on our family days out - we've just repeated these things locally rather than slightly further afield. We tend to holiday in self catering and like a UK holiday. Maybe one week abroad per year normally.

Are these dog-appropriate? (Obviously I know nothing about this yet!).

My parents are due to retire this year and would happily come and look after a dog. My original plan was to encourage them to get one that DD and I could visit / borrow but they're having none of it!

Sleep disruption sounds less than ideal tho. How common is that?

Agree with other damage to house coming in shaking herself splatters of mud everywhere. Knowing furniture as a puppy. Having to walk them every day in all weathers . Having to pick up poo . If they are boisterous and jump up at people or other dogs even just as a puppy it's really embarrassing . Having to arrange for holiday care . Having said that we love ours and wouldn't be without her .

The whinging of the kids when the dog needs to go out and the other adult isn’t home.

Having to go out in all weathers.

Our dog is old enough now that he pisses on the floor at least once a week when we get the timings wrong.

Also other people’s dogs and people who don’t know about leads.

All of the above plus the dirt. Don't have a dog of you can't stand a bit of dirt.

Go to a good rescue centre like the dog's trust. Not all rescue dogs come with baggage, and they will match one to suit your family.
The worst thing is losing them (my darling staffie died at the end of August and I miss her so much).

We can never just walk out of the house. Our dog, love her to bits, has extreme separation anxiety. Pedigree, not a rescue, did all proper training etc but still can't leave her for more than hour and that's after long walk, boredom treats. Adaptil plug in etc etc! Plus she had rare illness ( chylothorax) that cost full insurance then 4k on top! You may be lucky. I have had dogs all my life and although a lot of work and effort they worth it. A local rescue to me fosters out their dogs rather than putting them in a kennel. Maybe something similar near you so you could foster to see how it goes?

The issue is if your lifestyle changes.
DH went from having a job that allowed him to wfh 2 days a week to being expected to be in the office every day and potentially having to travel abroad for minimum week long work trips whilst my job was getting busier. Lockdown changed that again, and it looks likely that neither of us will ever be expected to be full time in the office for a number of years.
So I'd say make sure you have back up plans for emergencies or changes in your life.

Washing fox poo off her. Even worse, is if the walk isn't walking distance of home and she has to get in the car, stinking of fox poo. I always have wipes in the car for that reason.

Other than that, they do tie us down a bit but we tend to do on dog friendly days out. So many places have outdoor eating now that lunch out is rarely a problem.

Ensuring you have a reliable dog minder for holidays is essential.

We currently have 4 ddogs. We have found a very suitable kennel set up for when we are away, plenty of ddoggy walks near us (beach +dunes +a wood nearby). Vet nearby.
I was an only dc and can't imagine if I hadn't had a ddoggy sibling how it would have been for me..
No regrets here op.
Who needs wallpaper anyway???

Yes to day trips out, and all other activities mentioned. Check in advance if visiting castles/ national trust properties etc as all have their own rules

Never had any sleep deprivation problems other than first two nights home, all down to training.
Enjoy!!

The worst thing - they don't live forever 😢
Everything else pales into insignificance considering the live, affection and fun they bring

I doubt you could get a rescue with such a young dd.

Plus although it's getting better a lot of places aren't dog friendly. Many beaches have restrictions. Castles too. We have to take turns standing outside attractions etc that dog can't go in